Ka is a one movement composition for chamber orchestra consisting of three sections. The work's harmonic, melodic and rhythmic materials are derived from the Chinese I Ching ("Book of Changes"). The middle section was composed with the aid of a computer program written by the composer. The program generated the interval sequence arrays forming the harmonic basis for the piece. Ka is scored for flute, oboe, B𝄬 clarinet, bassoon, French Horn, trumpet, trombone, three percussionists, violin, viola, cello and double bass. The score is 62 pages with a 39 page analysis preceding the score. Ka has a duration of approximately 10 minutes with no pauses between sections.

Stellar Ouintet is a composition in five movements (Prologue, Allegro, "...Of Stars", Rondo, Epilogue) for two violins, viola, violoncello, and harpsichord. It makes extensive use of constellations , a term used in this work to denote arrangements of pitches in spatial notation. This method of notation is derived from actual astronomical constellations. The score makes use of both real and freely constructed constellations which are rotated around their own central axis. The score is 90 pages long with a 28 page analysis preceding the score. The work has a performance time of approximately 18-20 minutes

Kidrish Fields, a pastoral fantasy, is scored for seven flutes, vibraphone, and cello. The duration of the work is eighteen minutes. The 62 pages which precede the musical score present a discussion and an analysis of the composition. The purpose of this project was to provide the composer an opportunity to apply polyphonic writing techniques within a score orchestrated for an ensemble of like instruments.

This work for harp and string orchestra uses musical materials derived from a chord taken from the lydian mode. The three major formal divisions are A, B, and A'. The A and A' sections are more homophonic in texture and slower in harmonic rhythm. The B section is mostly contrapuntal. Sections A and A' are dreamy and dance-like while the B section is turbulent and unrestful. These characteristics are represented by sustained sonorities, twoagainst- three rhythmic configurations, and lilting melodic materials in sections A and A', as opposed to the fragmented, ever-changing melodic material of the B section. The interweaving of the musical materials into a consummate form represents the conversations, personalities, and exploits of these Atmosphantoms, giving the music its philosophical and conversational character.

Mass is written for large mixed choruswind ensemble consisting of woodwind quartet (flute, oboe, Bb clarinet, and bassoon), brass quintet (two Bb trumpets, F horn, trombone, bass trombone), and recorded digital synthesizer. This setting of the Ordinary is in Latin and includes the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. The duration of the work is approximately twenty-seven minutes.

The study of Bela Bartok's Four Dirges for piano (1909- 1910) is significant in that this period of 1908 to 1910 was particularly experimental and formative for Bartók, especially in tonal aspects of his compositional style. Furthermore, very little research and analysis has been done on these smaller works. This thesis contributes an analytical study of this early style and also shows its influence on larger mature works in subsequent years. A complete analysis on each dirge contains graphs of tonal structures and patterns constructed by Bartok within each composition. The concluding chapter summarizes overall characteristics of the dirges.

Microcomputer-based music synthesis hardware is being developed at North Texas State University (NTSU). The work described in this paper continues this effort to develop hardware designs for inexpensive, but good quality, sound synthesizers. In order to pursue their activities, researchers in computer assisted instruction in music theory, psychoacoustics, and music composition need quality sound sources. The ultimate goal of my research is to develop good quality sound synthesis hardware which can fill these needs economically. This paper explores three topics: 1) how a computer makes music--a short nontechnical description; 2) what has been done previously--a review of the literature; and 3) what factors bear on the quality of microcomputer-based systems, including encoding of musical passages, software development, and hardware design. These topics lead to the discussion of a particular sound synthesizer which the author has designed.

The purpose of writing the quintet for Woodwinds is to produce composition for woodwind ensemble containing elements of significant musical form. Much of the quintet music. by composers such as, Reicha and Taffanel is characterized by pure virtuosity of style and lack of significant musical form. The Quintet for Woodwinds utilizes the conventional instrumentation for a woodwind quintet, that is, flute, oboe, clarinet (Bb), Horn in F,, and bassoon. In the Third Movement (Playfully) the piccolo is to be used as an alternate instrument with the flute.

The purpose of this study is to give some insight into the solo songs of John Alden Carpenter and show their position in the history of song composition in general.

The problems arising in the conception, composing and perfecting of a composition may be divided into two types (1) Those connected with the composition itself; and (2) Those pertaining to the interpretation of the moods and thematic variations of the composition by the orchestra.